Chelsea back on top of WSL table after big win at Leicester

Chelsea moved back to the top of the Women’s Super League table with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

After wins for Manchester City and Arsenal earlier in the weekend, Chelsea knew anything but a win could derail their title hopes in Emma Hayes’ last season at the club.

However, goals in the first half from Nathalie Bjorn (38) and Mayra Ramirez (44) put the Blues in firm control of the game, despite Leicester causing them a few problems in the opening 45 minutes.

Chelsea added a third in the 38th minute through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd before Hayes rung the changes with the game safe.

Fran Kirby returned from injury, while Catarina Macario came on to make first Chelsea debut after 20 months on the sidelines with an ACL injury, and she marked the occasion with a goal to round off what proved to be a perfect night.

Victory sees Chelsea restore their three-point gap on third-placed Arsenal, who beat Spurs earlier in the day, while the Blues move level on points with Manchester City, but above them at the top of the standings on goal difference.

‘Chelsea back where Hayes wants them’

Sky Sports‘ Karen Carney:

“It’s a brilliant weekend for Chelsea.

“They are back on top and that is where Emma Hayes will want to be, especially as the focus now turns to cup football for a little while.

“They have a League Cup semi-final, the FA Cup, the crucial game in the WSL with Arsenal before the Champions league returns. It’s a huge coupled of weeks coming up for Chelsea.

“So, to get three points, scoring four goals, debut goals and getting players minutes on the pitch, Hayes will be delighted.”

How Chelsea cruised past Leicester to go top…

Chelsea almost made the perfect start. Rytting Kaneryd slid the ball across to Guro Reiten, and she nearly grabbed an opener within the first 10 seconds, but goalkeeper Lize Kop managed to bundle the ball behind.

Jelena Cankovic then saw a header cleared away from goal by Josie Green before Leicester started to grow into the game.

Jutta Rantala’s strike flew straight into the hands of Hannah Hampton and moments later the Finland international was denied by Hampton again. The rebound fell to Yuko Momiki, who failed to hit the target from around 10 yards.

Leicester were causing Chelsea problems but all that good work was undone in the 38th minute. Willie Kirk’s side had ample opportunity to clear their lines from a corner, but with the ball bouncing around the penalty area, Bjorn hooked the ball over Kop and defender Green to find the far corner.

The lead was doubled six minutes later. Ramirez passed Julie Thibaud and into the Leicester half. She showed pace, power and composure, rounding Kop and finding the empty net with a calm finish to put Chelsea in full control.

After the break, Chelsea further stretched their lead.

Rytting Kaneryd found plenty of space to run into before her shot took a heavy deflection off Janice Cayman and past Kop for Chelsea’s third.

With Chelsea’s rammed schedule in mind, Hayes turned to her bench with Kirby fit enough to return to action, but the story of the night was a Chelsea debut for Macario, who signed for the club in July while still recovering from her injury picked up playing for Lyon in 2022.

She had 20 months in total out of action with an ACL injury but she proved to be the story of the night as she fired a strike past Kop to make the smiles on Chelsea’s faces even bigger.

‘A special moment for Macario’

Sky Sports’ Karen Carney:

“I’ve got a smile from ear to ear and I’ve never met Catarina Macario.

“From her journey of 20 months and to come to just be on the pitch, what an achievement.

“Also, for a new player, to see that reaction from the rest of the squad, she must be very special to that group of players.

“It’s her moment.

“When you are out for that long there are so many low moments, but to come back onto that pitch and get a goal, it’s special.”

The goals…

What’s next?

Chelsea travel to Man City on Thursday for a League Cup semi-final clash; kick-off 7.15pm.

Their busy schedule continues after that with an FA Cup quarter-final at Everton on Sunday March 10 (kick-off 1pm), before a crucial home clash against Arsenal in WSL, live on Sky Sports on Friday March 15; kick-off 7pm.

Leicester are also in FA Cup quarter-final action. They travel to Liverpool on Saturday; kick-off 12pm.

Kirk’s side are back in WSL action on Sunday March 17 with a trip to Tottenham; kick-off 2pm.

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